Bicycle Accidents

February 23, 2011

Boston bicycle accidents an ongoing concern even as cycling crashes decline nationwide

The 2009 data on pedalcyclist was recently released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

For this data a pedalcyclist is a rider of pedal powered vehicles that have 2 non-motorized wheels or are a unicycle or tricycle. Our Boston personal injury lawyers remind you to ride safely to prevent a Massachusetts bicycle accident. While Boston was made significant improvements to its cycling infrastructure, riders still face the risk of serious or fatal injury in the event of a crash.

In 2009, there were 630 fatal bicycle accidents nationwide — down 12 percent from the more than 700 killed from 2008 and the lowest number in nearly a decade. More than 51,000 were seriously injured in bicycle accidents.

Some statistics from the report on nationwide bicycle accidents:

-The average age of crash fatalities is 41.

-Crashes occur in urban areas 70% of the time.

-Males accounted for 87% of the deaths and 80% of the injuries.

-Alcohol was involved by either the rider or driver in 40% of the crashes.

-33% of fatal crashes happened at intersections.

-Day time fatal crashes increased by 6% and night time crashes decreased by 13% from 2008.

Massachusetts had 6 cyclists killed in 2009.

The City of Cambridge Police Department remind cyclists of the following:

-Bicyclists must obey all traffic laws, must ride single file, should stay to the right of the roadway unless directed otherwise, and should always use hand signals.

-Bicycles can not be ridden on a sidewalk in the following area: (cyclist need to walk their bike, ride on the street or take another route) .

-Harvard Sq.

-Central Sq. business districts, as well as some newly created banned areas:

-Inman Sq.

-Huron Village

-Mass. Ave., from Wendell St. and Shepard St. to Russell St. and Cogswel

-Somerville Ave (entirely)

-Bicyclists when riding on a sidewalk must ride at a speed equal to a normal walk, give an audible warning before passing a pedestrian and remember that pedestrians have the right of way.

-Bicyclist will not pass to the right of a bus at a bus stop or ever be towed by another vehicle.

-Bicyclist riding between dusk and dawn must have a red light or reflector on the rear of their bike, have a white headlight on the front and have side reflectors.

-It is recommended that everyone wear a helmet while riding but riders 16 and younger must wear one when riding on public roads.
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November 10, 2010

Early dark increases risk of Boston pedestrian accidents

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

Our Boston injury lawyers urge motorists to watch for pedestrians as clocks go back an hour and darkness comes to the afternoon commute.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that the end of daylight-savings time, low light, and the risk of driver distraction during the afternoon commute, significantly increases the risk of Massachusetts car accidents and Boston pedestrian accidents at dusk.

The government reports 4,378 pedestrians were killed and more than 69,000 were injured in 2008 — or a pedestrian death every two hours and an injury every 8 minutes. Massachusetts pedestrian accidents claimed 75 lives that year.

About 40 percent of fatal pedestrian accidents occur in the hours around dusk and dawn — with 1 in 4 reported between the hours of 4 and 8 p.m. While low light during the afternoon commute may also spark an increase in Boston car accidents, it is the serious and fatal injuries often caused by pedestrian accidents that has safety advocates most concerned.

Tips for Motorists:

-Slow down. Low light increases reaction time.
-Remember that pedestrians may not hear you approaching.
-Keep windshields and mirrors clear. Fill windshield wiper fluid and make sure wipers and defrosters are in good repair.

Tips for Pedestrians:

-Carry a flashlight or use reflective material and/or clothing to make yourself more visible.
-Don’t count on traffic signals to keep you safe.
-Don’t jaywalk and avoid crossing between parked cars.
-Use sidewalks.
-Walk facing traffic.
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September 20, 2010

Massachusetts traffic accidents expected to post across-the-board declines in 2009

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

As our Boston injury lawyers await the release of Massachusetts traffic statistics for 2009, a look at the national statistics shows a decline in serious and fatal accidents across the board.

The number of fatal Massachusetts traffic accidents declined to 334 last year, from the 364 reported in 2008, according to the new statistics released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Nationwide, 33,808 traffic fatalities were reported last year, compared to the 37,423 people killed in 2008. It was the fewest killed on the nation’s roads since 33,186 died in 1950.

Injury accidents and motorcycle fatalities also declined for the first time in a decade.

While safety officials were quick to credit enforcement efforts, including seat belt campaigns and anti-drunk driving efforts, other safety advocates also point to the downturn in the economy as a primary reason for the overall reduction in serious and fatal traffic crashes.

The Governors Highway Safety Association also points to the federal focus on distracted driving and the dangers of cell phone use and text messaging as a primary reason for the reduction.

It is very encouraging that fatalities have declined in all categories and vehicle types. It is also a sign of great progress that reductions were achieved in forty-one states,” said Executive Director Barbara Harsha. “Secretary LaHood’s focus on distracted driving has brought an unprecedented focus to behavioral highway safety, and as a result, lives are being saved.”

Traffic Fatalities: 33,808; down 9.7 percent from 37,423 Passenger Vehicles: 23,382; down 8.2 percent from 25,462 Large Trucks: 503; down 26 percent from 682 Motorcycles: 4,462; down 16 percent from 5,312 Pedestrians: 4,092; down 7.3 percent from 4,414 Bicyclists: 150; down 12 percent from 188
Injuries were also down in every accident category:

Total Injuries: 2.217 million; down 5.5 percent from 2.346 million Passenger Vehicles: 1.976 million; down 4.6 percent from 2.072 million Large Trucks: 17,000; down 26 percent from 23,000 Motorcycles: 90,000; down 6.3 percent from 96,000 Pedestrians: 59,000; down 14 percent from 69,000 Bicyclists: 51,000; down 1.9 percent from 52,000 Continue reading

August 12, 2010

Fatal Boston bicycle accident claims life of woman at dangerous intersection

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

A Boston bicycle accident has claimed the life of a 24-year-old rider, after she was hit by a car in Brighton, the Boston Globe reported.

As we reported on our Boston Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, safety advocates continue to push for improved infrastructure as Boston seeks to become a world-class cycling destination. The Boston Globe reports more than 700 cycling accidents in Boston are reported each year. Nationwide, 716 fatal bicycle accidents were reported in 2008; another 52,000 riders were seriously injured, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Boston police said the collision was an accident and that the driver will not face charges. The crash occurred on Commonwealth Avenue on Monday afternoon, near the intersection with Kelton Street. A purple bicycle with a bent wheel could be seen in the middle of the street.

The victim was transported to Brigham and Women’s Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

Emergency personnel were quick to blame the woman for not wearing a helmet — saying she suffered a serious head injury that might have been avoided. We would also point out the injury might have been avoided had a careless driver not plowed into her bicycle.

“The city’s putting together a pretty decent set of bike lanes; we’re trying to make sure the network spreads to the rest of the city,” said Peter Stidman, 38, director of the Boston Cyclists Union. “It’s not moving at the pace that would make us America’s cycling city, which is something the mayor likes to say.”

The intersection has proved to be among the city’s most dangerous. Four cyclists and pedestrians were struck there between 2002 and 2007, compared to a citywide average of one accident per 10 intersections.
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July 14, 2010

Aggressive enforcement necessary to reduce number of Boston pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

Our Massachusetts injury lawyers continue to write about the dangers of Boston pedestrian accidents and bicycle accidents. We applaud the Baltimore crackdown on speeders, aggressive drivers and other traffic scofflaws in accident prone areas. The city’s Street Smart campaign will target lawbreakers through the remainder of summer in an effort to improve bicycle and pedestrian safety and should be replicated here.

This video shows the drastic difference of driving through a residential area at 35 mph as opposed to 25 mph. At 25 mph, the car is able to stop for the child in the crosswalk. At 35 mph, the child is struck and very likely killed. At 35 mph, it took 44 feet to stop. At 40 mph, it took 57 feet and the accident would have surely been fatal.

The campaign will target aggressive driving behavior, including tailgating, weaving from lane to lane, unsafe passing, running traffic signals and speeding. And it is the last of these — speeding — that remains the most socially acceptable and among the most dangerous.

The state reports that 70 percent of pedestrians killed last year were involved in accidents on roads where the speed limit is 35 mph or less. More than 500 children were among last year’s accident victims.
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May 26, 2010

Safe driving series to examine common causes of Massachusetts traffic accidents

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

Over the coming weeks, Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers will look at some of the most common causes of serious and fatal Massachusetts car accidents and traffic accidents nationwide.

In truth, few accidents are really accidents. Distracted driving, impaired driving, speeding and other poor driving habits usually contribute to serious or fatal car accidents in Massachusetts. As a veteran Massachusetts injury lawyer and Boston wrongful death attorney, Jeffrey S. Glassman is frequently called to represent families who are struggling to cope in the wake of a serious or fatal traffic accident.

We hope you will take some time to review safe driving habits with your family, particularly young drivers, and that you will check back often for updates.

-Massachusetts drunk driving accidents killed 153 of the 363 motorists who died on our roads in 2008, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

-Ten people were killed in Massachusetts bicycle accidents, although the Boston Globe recently reported more than 800 are injured each year.

-Forty-one people died in Massachusetts motorcycle accidents.

-Seventy-five people were killed in Massachusetts pedestrian accidents.

In the coming weeks we will review some of the common causes of accidents in Massachusetts, including:

-Distracted Driving -Drunk Driving -Aggressive Driving -Speeding -Intersection Crashes -Rear-end Collisions -Drowsy Driving -Motorcycle Accidents -Pedestrian Accidents -Bicycle Accidents -Trucking Accidents -Red-light Violations -Driving in inclement weather -Teen Driving -Elderly Drivers -Driving in Parking Lots -Commuting and Freeway Driving
Together, we can reduce the chances that you and your family will face the struggles that often accompany a serious traffic accident.
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May 22, 2010

Boston bicycle accidents an ongoing concern as city named on of America’s best cycling locations

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

CNN reports that cities named by Bicycle Magazine as some of the most bike-friendly in the nation are also among the metropolitan areas experiencing the biggest challenges in the relationship between cyclists and motorists.

As we reported last month on our Boston Injury Attorney Blog, the high number of Boston bicycle accidents continues to trouble authorities. The Boston Globe reported there were 700 bicycle accidents in the city in 2008. Boston ranked 8th on Bicycle Magazine’s top cycling cities in America.

Nationwide, more than 700 cyclists were killed and 52,000 injured, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

CNN points to differences in attitude even within the Boston area, where motorists in Brookline and Cambridge are typically more considerate of cyclists, while the South Boston attitude stops just short of war.

Cyclists see the Critical Mass rides — which occur the last Friday of each month — as riders coming together to promote cycling rights and awareness.

Some drivers, as CNN reports, see them as “nothing more than spandex wearing, stop-sign-running Lance Armstrong wannabes who slow traffic.”

But it’s important to note that attempting to teach a cyclist a lesson is a very bad idea. Most riders are responsible and are very aware of how dangerous cycling can be. Massachusetts cycling accidents frequently lead to very serious or fatal injuries for the cyclist and serious civil liability and even criminal charges for an at-fault motorist.

The popularity of cycling continues to increase. More than 18 million bikes are sold each year, according to the National Sporting Goods Association and about 1 in 4 adults ride at least once each summer. More than 6 percent of commuters ride to work — up 600 percent from the 1 percent reported a decade ago.
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